Slums are a human construct, representing a certain economic system in urban centres related to informality and weak governance, and resulting from speculative land markets and a general lack of planning and the neglect of long term investment in infrastructure and housing1. Slums are defined by the absence of: adequate housing2, basic urban services,

This quick guide provides urban decision makers with the key messages and actions as to why a National Urban Policy is an

Participation has been identified as a key mechanism to promote urban equity and is a ‘pre-condition’ for inclusive sustainable urbanization.
This quick guide provides urban managers with the tools and messages to embrace participation in city-wide slum upgrading and as a tool to promote inclusive outcomes that benefits everyone, including slum dwellers.

City-wide, ‘at scale’ participatory slum upgrading refers to a strategic slum upgrading choice and approach to poverty
alleviation. It emphasizes the integration of all stakeholders – including urban managers and slum dwellers themselves
– and is a process undertaken across all scales - from the local to the metropolitan level. It is an inclusive, integrated,

ŸIn the world today, one in eight people or 1 billion people on earth live in slums.
ŸŸThe proportion of slum dwellers is most acute in Africa (at 55.9 per cent), followed by Asia (at 27.9 per cent), and Latin America and the Caribbean (at 21.1 per cent)
ŸŸInformal settlements are increasingly found in the developed world too.

A key outcome of participatory, city-wide slum upgrading is that governance arrangements, institutions and processes for long term sustainable and inclusive urban development are strengthened

Urban poverty is becoming increasingly feminized1 - there are more women and girls, than men and boys, who live in poverty in urban centers around the world2.
• Slums and informal settlements are one of the most visible urban contexts highlighting female poverty, These settlements are characterized by a disproportionately highlevel

Slums and informal settlements are the most visible physical manifestation of the ways in which poor urban planning and a lack of sustainable policy frameworks result in a deficit of adequate housing and serviced land.
Adequate housing in urban contexts is improved when:
1) A commitment to progressively realize the right to adequate housing is promoted by all key stakeholders, and

Many slum dwellers are engaged in economic and livelihood activities that sustain families and contribute to the broader urban economy.
Participatory city-wide slum upgrading is an approach that:
1) Improves all stakeholders understanding of slum dwellers’ contribution to local and city-wide economies and,
2) Harnesses the assets of that activity to strengthen economic activity.

Slums and informal settlements are challenges facing many urban contexts. They require innovative and inclusive approaches to solve. Evidence shows that forced evictions are not a short or long-term solution.